Semiconductor History

Inside two RCA alloy junction transistors from the 1950s. The smaller one is a 40V/50mA pnp and the larger is a 40V/250mA, hence the thicker wires for lower loss at the higher current. The metal connecting the base is also larger to provide better heat dissipation. The base is a thin cut slice of pure n-type germanium which has indium pellets alloyed to each side creating the pnp junctions.  There was viscous white goo inside the cases which was difficult to remove.

The 2N109 was the first widely used 'hobbyist' RCA transistor and was used in AM receiver and preamplifier circuits. RCA originally established transistor development and manufacturing at Harrison NJ, then built a dedicated solid state operation at Somerville NJ in 1955.